Consult Niti Aayog on inviting foreign universities opening campuses in country: PM Modi to HRD Ministry

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised the HRD Ministry to seek the opinion of Niti Ayog — the revamped planning commission — on the matter of inviting foreign universities to set up campuses in India.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of top bureaucrats chaired by the PM on Monday. During this meeting, the HRD Ministry made a presentation on the pros and cons of the UPA-era proposal that was once bitterly opposed by the BJP. Murmurs about Modi government’s interest in opening doors to foreign universities have been growing louder ever since a strategy paper of the Department of Commerce surfaced.

The proposal suggested the revival of the Foreign Universities Bill introduced by UPA II to position India as an Asian hub for higher education and also help the country save foreign exchange.

ET had first reported on June 9 that the PM had called for a meeting in the second week of June at his residence to discuss the proposal. The meeting was rescheduled last minute and it was finally held on Monday. According to sources, Modi was also apprised on the progress on Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) and indigenous ranking of Indian colleges and universities.

GIAN is a new programme approved by the Union Cabinet under which renowned internationally academicians, scientists and professors will be invited to spend a semester in Indian colleges and universities. The PM urged HRD Ministry to launch both initiatives this year.